The Apostles’ Creed was used in two distinct ways by the early Christian church: first, as a tool to teach new disciples the essentials of the faith, and second, as a defense for the faith from unbelievers and skeptics alike. In the world today, many are engaged in apologetics but with their presuppositions and subjective reasoning, they offer the world nothing different than their own subjective beliefs. Using the Apostles’ Creed as a guide enables the Christian to give a hope for the faith within using objective truths based on eyewitness testimony. This book teaches you how to use the Creed to stay on topic and bring out the essentials of the faith in a concise and graceful manner. Dr. Almodovar gives a rubber-hits-the-road approach to apologetics, offering various scenarios to show how Creedal apologetics is accomplished. This simple tool (the Apostles’ Creed), once used for defense, is dusted off, polished up,
Showing posts with label apologetics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apologetics. Show all posts
Saturday, October 02, 2021
Monday, March 04, 2019
Book: The apologetics of Jesus
Apologetics books abound, but how did Jesus defend the faith? The Apologetics of Jesus presents the Savior at his convincing best. The most tentative Christian--or belligerent skeptic--will find meaty arguments for the godhead of Christ through his parables, prophecies, and more. This hard-hitting resource shows how Christ led the curious to commitment.
In this original book, readers will find a new way of looking at the message and miracles of Christ and will be revived by the example of Christ's caring approach to dealing with doubters. Recommended for both laypeople and ministry leaders alike.
Contents
1. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Testimony
2. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Miracles
3. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of the Resurrection
4. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Reason
5. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Parables
6. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Discourse
7. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Prophecy
8. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Arguments for God
9. Jesus’s Alleged Anti-Apologetic Passages
10. Jesus’s Life as an Apologetic
11. Jesus and the Role of the Holy Spirit in Apologetics
12. Jesus’s Apologetic Method
In this original book, readers will find a new way of looking at the message and miracles of Christ and will be revived by the example of Christ's caring approach to dealing with doubters. Recommended for both laypeople and ministry leaders alike.
Contents
1. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Testimony
2. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Miracles
3. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of the Resurrection
4. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Reason
5. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Parables
6. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Discourse
7. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Prophecy
8. Jesus’s Apologetic Use of Arguments for God
9. Jesus’s Alleged Anti-Apologetic Passages
10. Jesus’s Life as an Apologetic
11. Jesus and the Role of the Holy Spirit in Apologetics
12. Jesus’s Apologetic Method
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Book: God is Good for you
At a time of crisis for Christianity in the West, God is Good for You shows just why we need faith in our world.
The Judeo-Christian tradition has created and underpinned the moral and legal fabric of Western civilisation for more than 2000 years, yet now we've reached a point in both Australia and many parts of the West where Christianity has become a minority faith rather than the mainstream belief. It's a situation that's fraught both for Christians and our wider society, where the moral certainties that were the foundation of our institutions and laws are no longer held by the majority.
At this point of crisis for faith, God is Good for You shows us why Christianity is so vital for our personal and social well-being, and how modern Christians have never worked so hard to make the world a better place at a time when their faith has never been less valued. It carries a vital torch for Christianity in a way that's closely argued, warmly human, good humoured yet passionate, and, above all, convincing.
Contents include:
The Judeo-Christian tradition has created and underpinned the moral and legal fabric of Western civilisation for more than 2000 years, yet now we've reached a point in both Australia and many parts of the West where Christianity has become a minority faith rather than the mainstream belief. It's a situation that's fraught both for Christians and our wider society, where the moral certainties that were the foundation of our institutions and laws are no longer held by the majority.
At this point of crisis for faith, God is Good for You shows us why Christianity is so vital for our personal and social well-being, and how modern Christians have never worked so hard to make the world a better place at a time when their faith has never been less valued. It carries a vital torch for Christianity in a way that's closely argued, warmly human, good humoured yet passionate, and, above all, convincing.
Contents include:
- Introduction: Is God dead?
- Christianity. Believing in God is rational, atheism is an odd religious faith and the new atheists are false prophets
- The ragged edge of justice-what Christians believe
- What did we ever get from Christianity-apart from the idea of the individual, human rights, feminism, liberalism, modernity, social justice and secular politics?
- Christianity's problems-evil, suffering, the sins of Christians
- Give the Old Testament a try-you'll be astonished
- Christians. Politicians-more Christian than you'd think
- So national leaders have souls too-who knew?
- Free radicals-Pentecostalsand monks
- Signs of new life
- Ordinary extraordinary Christian
- Death (nearly) comes for the archbishop
- Chapter twelve: Bold minority-the future for Christians and their churches.
Friday, November 09, 2018
Book: The Gates of Hell: Confessing Christ in a Hostile World
The Church is no longer the darling of the culture. Those who have the courage to confess the Bible’s truths are labeled haters, enemies of culture, and hurtful to the state. The adversarial relationship between our culture and Christians is not unlike the one faced by our fathers in the earliest days of the Church.
But the Bible was written in a cultural situation far worse than the one we face today. When we begin to fear that Satan is triumphing, we must hear our Lord tell us that He will build His Church, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). So even though it seems like Satan is winning, Christ promises that the devil will not prevail.
Each sermon and essay in this volume testifies to the power of Christ’s promise to defend His Church. The Word of God does what it says, and the gates of hell will never prevail against the kingdom of Christ, the Church. Christ promises.
A collaboration of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's Praesidium, The Gates of Hell gives practical advice to confessional leaders, showing them how to encourage God's people to keep confessing and retain hope as society degrates and becomes even more hostile to the Gospel.
The Gates of Hell includes sermons given at the 2016 LCMS convention, along with newly written chapters addressing how the Church has power to fight back against the empire of darkness.
Contains 6 sermons, 1 essay and 7 articles
But the Bible was written in a cultural situation far worse than the one we face today. When we begin to fear that Satan is triumphing, we must hear our Lord tell us that He will build His Church, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). So even though it seems like Satan is winning, Christ promises that the devil will not prevail.
Each sermon and essay in this volume testifies to the power of Christ’s promise to defend His Church. The Word of God does what it says, and the gates of hell will never prevail against the kingdom of Christ, the Church. Christ promises.
A collaboration of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's Praesidium, The Gates of Hell gives practical advice to confessional leaders, showing them how to encourage God's people to keep confessing and retain hope as society degrates and becomes even more hostile to the Gospel.
The Gates of Hell includes sermons given at the 2016 LCMS convention, along with newly written chapters addressing how the Church has power to fight back against the empire of darkness.
Contains 6 sermons, 1 essay and 7 articles
Monday, June 04, 2018
Book: The gates of hell - confessing Christ in a hostile world
The Church is no longer the darling of the culture. Those who have the courage to confess the Bible’s truths are labeled haters, enemies of culture, and hurtful to the state. The adversarial relationship between our culture and Christians is not unlike the one faced by our fathers in the earliest days of the Church.
But the Bible was written in a cultural situation far worse than the one we face today. When we begin to fear that Satan is triumphing, we must hear our Lord tell us that He will build His Church, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). So even though it seems like Satan is winning, Christ promises that the devil will not prevail.
Each sermon and essay in this volume testifies to the power of Christ’s promise to defend His Church. The Word of God does what it says, and the gates of hell will never prevail against the kingdom of Christ, the Church. Christ promises.
Table of contents
1 "Upon This Rock" (Matthew 16:13-20) Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison 1
2 "Saying What God Says" (1 John 1:8-2:2) Rev. Dr. Herbert C. Mueller Jr. 7
3 "Held Fast to Hold Fast" (Hebrews 10:23) Rev. Dr. John C. Wohlrabe Jr. 11
4 "Joy in Jesus" (1 John 1:1-4) Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray 15
5 "Ifs All about Love" (Leviticus 19:15-18) Rev. Nabil S. Nour E. 19
6 "Saints and Faithful Brothers" (Colossians 1:1-14) Rev. Christopher S. Esget 23
7 "Built on the Rock-Confess" Rev. Dr. Daniel O. S. Preus 27
8 The Gates of Hell and the Religion of Sex Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray 41
9 The Gates of Hell: Luther and the Two Kingdoms Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison 73
10 The Gates of Hell and the Status of the Church in Western Society Rev. Dr. John C. Wohlrabe Jr. 105
11 The Gates of Hell: Defying the Devil in International Mission Work Rev. Dr. Daniel O. S. Preus 141
12 The Gates of Hell and the Table of the Lord Rev. Christopher S. Esget 167
13 The Gates of Hell and the Urgency of Preaching Rev. Nabil S. Nour 197
14 The Gates of Hell and Defending the Faith against Them Rev. Dr. Herbert C. Mueller Jr. 219
But the Bible was written in a cultural situation far worse than the one we face today. When we begin to fear that Satan is triumphing, we must hear our Lord tell us that He will build His Church, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). So even though it seems like Satan is winning, Christ promises that the devil will not prevail.
Each sermon and essay in this volume testifies to the power of Christ’s promise to defend His Church. The Word of God does what it says, and the gates of hell will never prevail against the kingdom of Christ, the Church. Christ promises.
Table of contents
1 "Upon This Rock" (Matthew 16:13-20) Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison 1
2 "Saying What God Says" (1 John 1:8-2:2) Rev. Dr. Herbert C. Mueller Jr. 7
3 "Held Fast to Hold Fast" (Hebrews 10:23) Rev. Dr. John C. Wohlrabe Jr. 11
4 "Joy in Jesus" (1 John 1:1-4) Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray 15
5 "Ifs All about Love" (Leviticus 19:15-18) Rev. Nabil S. Nour E. 19
6 "Saints and Faithful Brothers" (Colossians 1:1-14) Rev. Christopher S. Esget 23
7 "Built on the Rock-Confess" Rev. Dr. Daniel O. S. Preus 27
8 The Gates of Hell and the Religion of Sex Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray 41
9 The Gates of Hell: Luther and the Two Kingdoms Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison 73
10 The Gates of Hell and the Status of the Church in Western Society Rev. Dr. John C. Wohlrabe Jr. 105
11 The Gates of Hell: Defying the Devil in International Mission Work Rev. Dr. Daniel O. S. Preus 141
12 The Gates of Hell and the Table of the Lord Rev. Christopher S. Esget 167
13 The Gates of Hell and the Urgency of Preaching Rev. Nabil S. Nour 197
14 The Gates of Hell and Defending the Faith against Them Rev. Dr. Herbert C. Mueller Jr. 219
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Movie and Mini Series: For the love of God
For the love of God - Christianity is better than you can ever imagine and worse than you can ever imagine is an honest look at Christianity throughout history, whilst also responding to some of the objections people have about Christianity.
The Centre for Public Christianity - an Australian based apologetic organisation affiliated with the Bible Society has developed a movie and because there is so much content a mini series and even online clips to help Christians understand Christianity's role throughout history, both the good and the bad.
Screenings began in May and will occur based on demand....to see where you can view the film visit https://www.publicchristianity.org/documentary-screenings
The mini series will be launched online on 1 July visit https://fortheloveofgodproject.com/ to discover more about the project and when the mini series will be launched.
The Centre for Public Christianity - an Australian based apologetic organisation affiliated with the Bible Society has developed a movie and because there is so much content a mini series and even online clips to help Christians understand Christianity's role throughout history, both the good and the bad.
Screenings began in May and will occur based on demand....to see where you can view the film visit https://www.publicchristianity.org/documentary-screenings
The mini series will be launched online on 1 July visit https://fortheloveofgodproject.com/ to discover more about the project and when the mini series will be launched.
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Book: From Atheism to Christianity
This is the story of how one of the world's most famous atheists became one of its most famous Christians.
From Atheism to Christianity: The Story of C. S. Lewis is the spiritual homecoming story of Clive Staples Lewis, a careful and thoughtful scholar who spent fifteen years journeying the long road from atheism to theism and, eventually, to Christianity. Drawing from Lewis's own writings, as well as those he sought out during his quest for spiritual understanding, From Atheism to Christianity highlights the longing, reluctance, searching, and surrender that defined these years of Lewis's life and provides answers to the questions that surround this profound character:
Explore the most tumultuous and defining years of C. S. Lewis's life, gathering clues that reveal the meaning of life for contemporary atheists and theists all from the perspective of one who knew both atheism and Christianity from the inside.
Remember, I had always wanted, above all things, not to be interfered with. I had wanted (mad wish) to call my soul my own. C. S. Lewis
From Atheism to Christianity: The Story of C. S. Lewis is the spiritual homecoming story of Clive Staples Lewis, a careful and thoughtful scholar who spent fifteen years journeying the long road from atheism to theism and, eventually, to Christianity. Drawing from Lewis's own writings, as well as those he sought out during his quest for spiritual understanding, From Atheism to Christianity highlights the longing, reluctance, searching, and surrender that defined these years of Lewis's life and provides answers to the questions that surround this profound character:
- What attracted Lewis to atheism and eventually Christianity?
- How did he leave atheism behind?
- Why did his journey take fifteen years?
- Who influenced his thought during those years?
- What authors did he read, and whom did he interact with and confide in?
Explore the most tumultuous and defining years of C. S. Lewis's life, gathering clues that reveal the meaning of life for contemporary atheists and theists all from the perspective of one who knew both atheism and Christianity from the inside.
Remember, I had always wanted, above all things, not to be interfered with. I had wanted (mad wish) to call my soul my own. C. S. Lewis
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Lutheran alliance for faith, science and technology
The Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science, and Technology is dedicated to expanding awareness and promoting conversation about the implications of science and technology for Christian faith and life. (Prior to becoming the Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology in 2002, the effort was known as the Working Group for Faith, Science and Technology.)
In 1987, 45 young scientists, technologists, and theologians from 5 continents and 17 countries gathered in Larnaca, Cyprus in for a consultation entitled, “The New Scientific/Technological World: What Differences Does It Make for the Church?” The meeting, sponsored by the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) in cooperation from the Lutheran World Federation, was organized by the Rev. John Mangum, director for planning, LCA Division for World Mission and Ecumenism. This meeting was the genesis of the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science, and Technology, as well as similar groups in other denominations.
Since 1991, the Alliance has been an independent Lutheran organization recognized by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with liaison through the Theological Discernment Team in the Office of the Presiding Bishop. The membership includes scientists, science teachers, rostered leaders (clergy and lay), and other interested lay people.
The site includes:
Covalence Magazine
News
Faith and Science Resources
Faith and Science Youth Curriculums
To discover more visit http://luthscitech.org
In 1987, 45 young scientists, technologists, and theologians from 5 continents and 17 countries gathered in Larnaca, Cyprus in for a consultation entitled, “The New Scientific/Technological World: What Differences Does It Make for the Church?” The meeting, sponsored by the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) in cooperation from the Lutheran World Federation, was organized by the Rev. John Mangum, director for planning, LCA Division for World Mission and Ecumenism. This meeting was the genesis of the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science, and Technology, as well as similar groups in other denominations.
Since 1991, the Alliance has been an independent Lutheran organization recognized by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with liaison through the Theological Discernment Team in the Office of the Presiding Bishop. The membership includes scientists, science teachers, rostered leaders (clergy and lay), and other interested lay people.
The site includes:
Covalence Magazine
News
Faith and Science Resources
Faith and Science Youth Curriculums
To discover more visit http://luthscitech.org
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Book: New Life New Love by Noel Due
New Life New Love will enable you to encounter the God who offers new life to all people.
You will appreciate who you are as you discover who God is.
The significance of the Bible for your life will become apparent.
New possibilities will emerge for greater peace of mind and well-being.
It will draw you deeper into an understanding of God’s forgiveness and love.
Life affirming relationships with God and others will be experienced.
New Life New Love will enable you to encounter the God who offers new life to all people
New Life New Love is two books in one, with 16 chapters altogether.
Highly recommended for one-on-one or small group dialogue, each chapter is summarised in a brief video interview with the author, Dr Noel Due.
Are you curious about Christianity? Are you interested in finding out about what Christians believe? Then New Life New Love is the book for you. Noel Due has managed to achieve what many attempt to do and fail. He has distilled into two texts a great snapshot of what it means to be a Christian. And the book (well it’s actually two books for the price of one!) presents the key themes and ideas of the Christian faith in a logical and engaging manner. What a joy it is to read that ‘You are more wonderful than you realise’ in chapter one, and what a challenge it is to come to grips with ‘You are more dangerous than you imagine’ in chapter two. Grab the book and grab a Christian who can support you through the book. The journey will bring new life and new love. Dr Tania Nelson Executive Officer Local Mission, Lutheran Church of Australia
‘New Life, New Love’ is an excellent, biblically based discussion resource which explores God’s invitation to individuals to participate in new life and new love in Christ as the Holy Spirit creates faith and helps that faith to grow. ‘New Life, New Love’ leads the reader deeply into the biblical texts in language, metaphors and imagery which speak simply and clearly to our current generation. The book anticipates important questions which may be asked by participants and then addresses them directly in clarifying metaphors and examples. It also provides space for reflecting personally on the text, sharing in discussion and then, most importantly, praying together. Valuable footnotes explain some of the information which may be unfamiliar to readers. Interesting and very helpful insights from the writings of Martin Luther are also included. In all of this, the emphasis is on the action of God in the life of faith and love of the participant. ‘New Life, New Love’ is also an excellent resource for those who may have drifted away from their relationship with God, or for practicing Christians who may gain important new insights into what the Bible says about a life of faith in Christ as they are led by the Spirit. Rev Dr Malcolm Bartsch Emeritus lecturer and former Head of the School of Educational Theology, Lutheran Church of Australia.
When an esteemed biblical scholar and teacher like the Rev. Dr Noel Due decides to write a biblical study on the invitation and implications of the Gospel for unchurched or dechurched people living in the 21st Century, what you get is his new two part book New Life and New Love. This one snuck up on me. It leads you to the edge of a vast ocean and tempts you to do more that pick up shells on the shore. On my first reading of it I experienced that most rare of emotions these days - fresh hope - as I was immersed by the author in a new sense of self-discovery through seeing who God really is. Then as I reflected upon it with others, I started to realise its incredible implications; the adventure and possibilities that only a new life in God can bring. Highly recommended for one-on-one or small group study. Dean Eaton Mission Facilitator and Church Planting Mentor, Lutheran Church of Australia, author of Sent Seeking the Orphans of God.
Free pdf copies are available at https://www.lca.org.au/services-resources-training/study-guides/new-life-new-love/
You will appreciate who you are as you discover who God is.
The significance of the Bible for your life will become apparent.
New possibilities will emerge for greater peace of mind and well-being.
It will draw you deeper into an understanding of God’s forgiveness and love.
Life affirming relationships with God and others will be experienced.
New Life New Love will enable you to encounter the God who offers new life to all people
New Life New Love is two books in one, with 16 chapters altogether.
Highly recommended for one-on-one or small group dialogue, each chapter is summarised in a brief video interview with the author, Dr Noel Due.
What others are saying...
Are you curious about Christianity? Are you interested in finding out about what Christians believe? Then New Life New Love is the book for you. Noel Due has managed to achieve what many attempt to do and fail. He has distilled into two texts a great snapshot of what it means to be a Christian. And the book (well it’s actually two books for the price of one!) presents the key themes and ideas of the Christian faith in a logical and engaging manner. What a joy it is to read that ‘You are more wonderful than you realise’ in chapter one, and what a challenge it is to come to grips with ‘You are more dangerous than you imagine’ in chapter two. Grab the book and grab a Christian who can support you through the book. The journey will bring new life and new love. Dr Tania Nelson Executive Officer Local Mission, Lutheran Church of Australia
‘New Life, New Love’ is an excellent, biblically based discussion resource which explores God’s invitation to individuals to participate in new life and new love in Christ as the Holy Spirit creates faith and helps that faith to grow. ‘New Life, New Love’ leads the reader deeply into the biblical texts in language, metaphors and imagery which speak simply and clearly to our current generation. The book anticipates important questions which may be asked by participants and then addresses them directly in clarifying metaphors and examples. It also provides space for reflecting personally on the text, sharing in discussion and then, most importantly, praying together. Valuable footnotes explain some of the information which may be unfamiliar to readers. Interesting and very helpful insights from the writings of Martin Luther are also included. In all of this, the emphasis is on the action of God in the life of faith and love of the participant. ‘New Life, New Love’ is also an excellent resource for those who may have drifted away from their relationship with God, or for practicing Christians who may gain important new insights into what the Bible says about a life of faith in Christ as they are led by the Spirit. Rev Dr Malcolm Bartsch Emeritus lecturer and former Head of the School of Educational Theology, Lutheran Church of Australia.
When an esteemed biblical scholar and teacher like the Rev. Dr Noel Due decides to write a biblical study on the invitation and implications of the Gospel for unchurched or dechurched people living in the 21st Century, what you get is his new two part book New Life and New Love. This one snuck up on me. It leads you to the edge of a vast ocean and tempts you to do more that pick up shells on the shore. On my first reading of it I experienced that most rare of emotions these days - fresh hope - as I was immersed by the author in a new sense of self-discovery through seeing who God really is. Then as I reflected upon it with others, I started to realise its incredible implications; the adventure and possibilities that only a new life in God can bring. Highly recommended for one-on-one or small group study. Dean Eaton Mission Facilitator and Church Planting Mentor, Lutheran Church of Australia, author of Sent Seeking the Orphans of God.
Free pdf copies are available at https://www.lca.org.au/services-resources-training/study-guides/new-life-new-love/
Friday, August 04, 2017
Book: One in the Gospel 2016 edition
One in the Gospel - the Formula of Concord for our day is more than a commentary about the Formula of Concord, it explores how the Formula of Concord speaks to some of today's basic questions that we face throughout our life, including:
Contents include:
- What are we here for?
- Where are we heading?
- Is there a God who cares?
- What is expected of me?
Contents include:
- Discovering our identity
- Dialogue with the Gospel
- We are beggars - Is it true?
- How do I find faith?
- No strings attached!!
- Fruits on a Good tree
- Sinners and Saints
- For Christ's sake, yes!!
- Jesus only
- Blueprint for action
- Louder than words
- And there's no other God
- Happy ending?
- Free - to serve the Gospel
- Chosen!!
- Is God choosy?
- Our Lutheran identity
Tuesday, July 04, 2017
Book: What's so great about Christianity?
In a world of facts and figures, can an intellectual have faith?
Is it possible to believe anything the Bible says?
Yes, and one man will show you how.
Amidst scientists’ attempts to debunk Christianity’s truths and atheists’ assuming the Bible is a how-to-be-virtuous self-help book, bestselling author Dinesh D’Souza resolves to both answer the tough questions and challenge believers as well as doubters to search for the ultimate truths about theories of origin. D’Souza tackles subjects and events such as the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition, the Big Bang theory and Darwinism—everything you always pondered but never scrutinized, now placed under the proverbial microscope and studied thoroughly.
Part I: The Future of Christianity
Chapter One The Twilight of Atheism: The Global Triumph of Christianity . . . . . 3
Chapter Two Survival of the Sacred: Why Religion Is Winning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Chapter Three God Is Not Great: The Atheist Assault on Religion . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Chapter Four Miseducating the Young: Saving Children from Their Parents . . . 17
Part II: Christianity and the West
Chapter Five Render unto Caesar: The Spiritual Basis of Limited Government . . . . . . . 25
Chapter Six The Evil That I Would Not: Christianity and Human Fallibility . . . 31
Chapter Seven Created Equal: The Origin of Human Dignity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Part III: Christianity and Science
Chapter Eight Christianity and Reason: The Theological Roots of Science . . .. . 41
Chapter Nine From Logos to Cosmos: Christianity and the Invention of Invention . . 45
Chapter Ten An Atheist Fable: Reopening the Galileo Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Part IV: The Argument from Design
Chapter Eleven A Universe with a Beginning: God and the Astronomers . . . . . . . 57
Chapter Twelve A Designer Planet: Man’s Special Place in Creation . . . . . . . . . . 61
Chapter Thirteen Paley Was Right: Evolution and the Argument from Design. . . . . 67
Chapter Fourteen The Genesis Problem: The Methodological Atheism of Science . . . 73
Part V: Christianity and Philosophy
Chapter Fifteen The World Beyond Our Senses: Kant and the Limits of Reason. . . 79
Chapter Sixteen In the Belly of the Whale: Why Miracles Are Possible . . . . . . . . . . 83
Chapter Seventeen A Skeptic’s Wager: Pascal and the Reasonableness of Faith . . . . 87
Part VI: Christianity and Suffering
Chapter Eighteen Rethinking the Inquisition: The Exaggerated Crimes of Religion . . 93
Chapter Nineteen A License to Kill: Atheism and the Mass Murders of History . . . . 95
Part VII: Christianity and Morality
Chapter Twenty Natural Law and Divine Law: The Objective Foundations of Morality . 101
Chapter Twenty-One The Ghost in the Machine: Why Man Is More Than Matter . . . . . 105
Chapter Twenty-Two The Imperial “I”: When the Self Becomes the Arbiter of Morality .109
Chapter Twenty-Three Opiate of the Morally Corrupt: Why Unbelief Is So Appealing . 113
Chapter Twenty-Four The Problem of Evil: Where Is Atheism When Bad Things Happen? 119
Part VIII: Christianity and You
Chapter Twenty-Five Jesus among Other Gods: The Uniqueness of Christianity . . . . . 125
Chapter Twenty-Six A Foretaste of Eternity: How Christianity Can Change Your Life . . .129
To buy the book visit here
For a free study guide to accompany the book visit here
Is it possible to believe anything the Bible says?
Yes, and one man will show you how.
Amidst scientists’ attempts to debunk Christianity’s truths and atheists’ assuming the Bible is a how-to-be-virtuous self-help book, bestselling author Dinesh D’Souza resolves to both answer the tough questions and challenge believers as well as doubters to search for the ultimate truths about theories of origin. D’Souza tackles subjects and events such as the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition, the Big Bang theory and Darwinism—everything you always pondered but never scrutinized, now placed under the proverbial microscope and studied thoroughly.
Chapter One The Twilight of Atheism: The Global Triumph of Christianity . . . . . 3
Chapter Two Survival of the Sacred: Why Religion Is Winning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Chapter Three God Is Not Great: The Atheist Assault on Religion . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Chapter Four Miseducating the Young: Saving Children from Their Parents . . . 17
Part II: Christianity and the West
Chapter Five Render unto Caesar: The Spiritual Basis of Limited Government . . . . . . . 25
Chapter Six The Evil That I Would Not: Christianity and Human Fallibility . . . 31
Chapter Seven Created Equal: The Origin of Human Dignity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Part III: Christianity and Science
Chapter Eight Christianity and Reason: The Theological Roots of Science . . .. . 41
Chapter Nine From Logos to Cosmos: Christianity and the Invention of Invention . . 45
Chapter Ten An Atheist Fable: Reopening the Galileo Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Part IV: The Argument from Design
Chapter Eleven A Universe with a Beginning: God and the Astronomers . . . . . . . 57
Chapter Twelve A Designer Planet: Man’s Special Place in Creation . . . . . . . . . . 61
Chapter Thirteen Paley Was Right: Evolution and the Argument from Design. . . . . 67
Chapter Fourteen The Genesis Problem: The Methodological Atheism of Science . . . 73
Part V: Christianity and Philosophy
Chapter Fifteen The World Beyond Our Senses: Kant and the Limits of Reason. . . 79
Chapter Sixteen In the Belly of the Whale: Why Miracles Are Possible . . . . . . . . . . 83
Chapter Seventeen A Skeptic’s Wager: Pascal and the Reasonableness of Faith . . . . 87
Part VI: Christianity and Suffering
Chapter Eighteen Rethinking the Inquisition: The Exaggerated Crimes of Religion . . 93
Chapter Nineteen A License to Kill: Atheism and the Mass Murders of History . . . . 95
Part VII: Christianity and Morality
Chapter Twenty Natural Law and Divine Law: The Objective Foundations of Morality . 101
Chapter Twenty-One The Ghost in the Machine: Why Man Is More Than Matter . . . . . 105
Chapter Twenty-Two The Imperial “I”: When the Self Becomes the Arbiter of Morality .109
Chapter Twenty-Three Opiate of the Morally Corrupt: Why Unbelief Is So Appealing . 113
Chapter Twenty-Four The Problem of Evil: Where Is Atheism When Bad Things Happen? 119
Part VIII: Christianity and You
Chapter Twenty-Five Jesus among Other Gods: The Uniqueness of Christianity . . . . . 125
Chapter Twenty-Six A Foretaste of Eternity: How Christianity Can Change Your Life . . .129
To buy the book visit here
For a free study guide to accompany the book visit here
Saturday, June 24, 2017
The Spread of the Gospel Map
This animated map is a powerful visual depiction of the most important movement in history: the spread of Christianity. Every frame is one year in the last 2000 years of the Great Commission. It does not show only nations that have declared Christianity to be the national religion, or even areas where professing Christians are the majority of the population. It shows everywhere the Gospel has been preached, where churches and Christian gravestones first show external evidence of that work, and where churches and Bibles are accessible today.
For contrast and context the map shows also how Islam, Roman Empire, Byzatine Empire, Mongol Empire and Communism spread and decreased.
For contrast and context the map shows also how Islam, Roman Empire, Byzatine Empire, Mongol Empire and Communism spread and decreased.
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Book: Will the real Jesus please stand up
In our culture of personalization, where everything is customizable, Jesus is often reworked into what each individual wants Him to be. Jesus is aligned to a person's agendas and dreams, making it easier for him or her to agree with Him.
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?: 12 False Christs, aims to address the many incorrect versions of Jesus present in today's culture.
Whether Jesus is seen as a patriot, a social justice warrior, a therapist, or a giver of bling, these many false christs diminish the real Christ - the Savior of the world who defies our culture's standards.
This book looks to the Bible to reveal that the real Jesus is already standing, while the false christs are not able to stand on their own.
Matthew Richard helps us understand who Jesus really is by unpacking some of the forms of Jesus we endeavour to create including
Will the Jesus please stand up is available here
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?: 12 False Christs, aims to address the many incorrect versions of Jesus present in today's culture.
Whether Jesus is seen as a patriot, a social justice warrior, a therapist, or a giver of bling, these many false christs diminish the real Christ - the Savior of the world who defies our culture's standards.
This book looks to the Bible to reveal that the real Jesus is already standing, while the false christs are not able to stand on their own.
Matthew Richard helps us understand who Jesus really is by unpacking some of the forms of Jesus we endeavour to create including
- The Mascot Jesus
- The Option Among Many Jesus
- The Good Teacher Jesus
- The Therapist Jesus
- The Giver of Bling Jesus
- The National Patriot Jesus
- The Social Justice Warrior Jesus
- The Moral Example Jesus
- The New Moses Jesus
- The Mystical Friend Jesus
- The Feminized Jesus
- The Teddy Bear Jesus
Will the Jesus please stand up is available here
Tuesday, June 06, 2017
500 years of Global Protestanism infographic
Center for the Study of Global Christianity has developed a 2 page infographic focussed on the 500 years of Protestanism. This is available from here
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Report: Faith and belief in Australia by McCrindle
The Faith and Belief in Australia Report has been released by McCrindle and it shows that religion is not dead
Two in three identify with a religion or spirituality
More than two in three Australians (68%) follow a religion or have spiritual beliefs. Of those that do, almost half (47%) remain committed to the religion of their upbringing. The number of Australians who do not identify with a religion or spiritual belief, however, is on the rise with almost one in three (32%) not identifying with a religion. This study replicated the ABS Census question, but added in an option for ‘spiritual but not religious’. This had a response rate of 14% among Australians nationally, and the Christianity grouping was 45% (down from 61% in the 2011 Census).
More than half of Australians (52%) are open to changing their religious views given the right circumstances and evidence. Younger Australians are more open to changing their current religious views than older generations.
Religion and spirituality a popular topic of conversation
When gathering with friends, more than half of Australians (55%) often or occasionally talk about religion or spirituality. Generation Z (65%) are the most comfortable talking the topic, while the Baby Boomers are the least with 51% never talking about it with their friends.
A genuine faith the greatest attraction to a religion or spirituality
Observing people with genuine faith is the greatest attraction to investigating spirituality. Second is experiencing personal trauma or a significant life change. On the inverse, the top repellent to Australians investigating is public figures or celebrities who are examples of that faith. This is followed by miraculous stories of healings or supernatural occurrences.
Perceptions of Christianity
Australians most value Christian organisations for their work with those in need, specifically looking after people who are homeless, offering financial assistance/food relief programs and providing disaster relief (74%, 72% and 69% respectively). 8% of Australian adults (1.5 million) do not know any Christians, while for Generation Y this is almost one in ten. One in 29 Australians have never heard of Jesus.
To download the entire report visit http://mccrindle.com.au/the-mccrindle-blog/faith-and-belief-in-australia
Two in three identify with a religion or spirituality
More than two in three Australians (68%) follow a religion or have spiritual beliefs. Of those that do, almost half (47%) remain committed to the religion of their upbringing. The number of Australians who do not identify with a religion or spiritual belief, however, is on the rise with almost one in three (32%) not identifying with a religion. This study replicated the ABS Census question, but added in an option for ‘spiritual but not religious’. This had a response rate of 14% among Australians nationally, and the Christianity grouping was 45% (down from 61% in the 2011 Census).
More than half of Australians (52%) are open to changing their religious views given the right circumstances and evidence. Younger Australians are more open to changing their current religious views than older generations.
Religion and spirituality a popular topic of conversation
When gathering with friends, more than half of Australians (55%) often or occasionally talk about religion or spirituality. Generation Z (65%) are the most comfortable talking the topic, while the Baby Boomers are the least with 51% never talking about it with their friends.
A genuine faith the greatest attraction to a religion or spirituality
Observing people with genuine faith is the greatest attraction to investigating spirituality. Second is experiencing personal trauma or a significant life change. On the inverse, the top repellent to Australians investigating is public figures or celebrities who are examples of that faith. This is followed by miraculous stories of healings or supernatural occurrences.
Perceptions of Christianity
Australians most value Christian organisations for their work with those in need, specifically looking after people who are homeless, offering financial assistance/food relief programs and providing disaster relief (74%, 72% and 69% respectively). 8% of Australian adults (1.5 million) do not know any Christians, while for Generation Y this is almost one in ten. One in 29 Australians have never heard of Jesus.
To download the entire report visit http://mccrindle.com.au/the-mccrindle-blog/faith-and-belief-in-australia
Saturday, December 31, 2016
book: Seeking Allah finding Jesus
In Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Nabeel Qureshi describes his dramatic journey from Islam to Christianity, complete with friendships, investigations, and supernatural dreams along the way.
Providing an intimate window into a loving Muslim home, Qureshi shares how he developed a passion for Islam before discovering, almost against his will, evidence that Jesus rose from the dead and claimed to be God. Unable to deny the arguments but not wanting to deny his family, Qureshi struggled with an inner turmoil that will challenge Christians, Muslims, and all those who are interested in the world’s greatest religions.
Engaging and thought-provoking, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus tells a powerful story of the clash between Islam and Christianity in one man’s heart and of the peace he eventually found in Jesus.
Contents
PART ONE: CALLED TO PRAYER
1. Prayers of My Fathers
2. A Mother’s Faith
3. A Community of Four
4. The Perfect Book
5. Stories of the Prophet
6. Righteous through Ritual Prayer
7. Diversity in Islam
8. The Path of Sharia
9. Dreams of the Faithful
10. The Month of Blessing
PART TWO: AN AMBASSADOR FOR ISLAM
11. Third Culture
12. Muslims in the West
13. Swoons and Substitutions
14. The Father Is Greater than Jesus
15. Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames
16. Treasured Traditions
17. Signs in the Sky
18. Honor and Authority
19. The Religion of Peace
PART THREE: TESTING THE NEW TESTAMENT
20. Becoming Brothers
21. Opening My Eyes
22. Textual Evolution
23. Revisiting Reliability
PART FOUR: COMING TO THE CRUX
24. Litmus Tests
25. Crucifying the Swoon Theory
26. A Muslim at Church
27. Debating the Resurrection
PART FIVE: JESUS: MORTAL MESSIAH OR DIVINE SON OF GOD?
28. Genetics and Jesus
29. Jesus Creates Carpenters
30. The Divine Son of Man
31. Paulemics and the Earliest Jesus
PART SIX: THE CASE FOR THE GOSPEL
32. Tension and the Trinity
33. Resonating with the Trinity
34. Salvation in the Balance
35. Assessing the Gospel
PART SEVEN: THE TRUTH ABOUT MUHAMMAD
36. Muhammad Revisited
37. The Picture-Perfect Prophet
38. Veiling the Violence
39. Muhammad Rasul Allah?
PART EIGHT: THE HOLINESS OF THE QURAN
40. The Case for the Quran
41. The Quran, Science, and Bucailleism
42. Hadith and the History of the Quran
43. Those Whom Their Right Hands Possess
PART NINE: FAITH IN DOUBT
44. Rationality and Revelation
45. The Cost of Embracing the Cross
46. I Am Near, Seek and You Shall Find
47. A Field of Crosses
PART TEN: GUIDED BY THE HAND OF GOD
48. Deciphering Dreams
49. The Narrow Door
50. A Stairway out of the Mosque
51. Time to Mourn
52. The Word Speaks
53. Finding Jesus
Providing an intimate window into a loving Muslim home, Qureshi shares how he developed a passion for Islam before discovering, almost against his will, evidence that Jesus rose from the dead and claimed to be God. Unable to deny the arguments but not wanting to deny his family, Qureshi struggled with an inner turmoil that will challenge Christians, Muslims, and all those who are interested in the world’s greatest religions.
Engaging and thought-provoking, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus tells a powerful story of the clash between Islam and Christianity in one man’s heart and of the peace he eventually found in Jesus.
Contents
PART ONE: CALLED TO PRAYER
1. Prayers of My Fathers
2. A Mother’s Faith
3. A Community of Four
4. The Perfect Book
5. Stories of the Prophet
6. Righteous through Ritual Prayer
7. Diversity in Islam
8. The Path of Sharia
9. Dreams of the Faithful
10. The Month of Blessing
PART TWO: AN AMBASSADOR FOR ISLAM
11. Third Culture
12. Muslims in the West
13. Swoons and Substitutions
14. The Father Is Greater than Jesus
15. Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames
16. Treasured Traditions
17. Signs in the Sky
18. Honor and Authority
19. The Religion of Peace
PART THREE: TESTING THE NEW TESTAMENT
20. Becoming Brothers
21. Opening My Eyes
22. Textual Evolution
23. Revisiting Reliability
PART FOUR: COMING TO THE CRUX
24. Litmus Tests
25. Crucifying the Swoon Theory
26. A Muslim at Church
27. Debating the Resurrection
PART FIVE: JESUS: MORTAL MESSIAH OR DIVINE SON OF GOD?
28. Genetics and Jesus
29. Jesus Creates Carpenters
30. The Divine Son of Man
31. Paulemics and the Earliest Jesus
PART SIX: THE CASE FOR THE GOSPEL
32. Tension and the Trinity
33. Resonating with the Trinity
34. Salvation in the Balance
35. Assessing the Gospel
PART SEVEN: THE TRUTH ABOUT MUHAMMAD
36. Muhammad Revisited
37. The Picture-Perfect Prophet
38. Veiling the Violence
39. Muhammad Rasul Allah?
PART EIGHT: THE HOLINESS OF THE QURAN
40. The Case for the Quran
41. The Quran, Science, and Bucailleism
42. Hadith and the History of the Quran
43. Those Whom Their Right Hands Possess
PART NINE: FAITH IN DOUBT
44. Rationality and Revelation
45. The Cost of Embracing the Cross
46. I Am Near, Seek and You Shall Find
47. A Field of Crosses
PART TEN: GUIDED BY THE HAND OF GOD
48. Deciphering Dreams
49. The Narrow Door
50. A Stairway out of the Mosque
51. Time to Mourn
52. The Word Speaks
53. Finding Jesus
For the love of God - how the church is better and worse than you imagined
For the love of God is a documentary film currently in production on the influence of Christianity on the West by CPX.
CPX’s forthcoming documentary won’t shy away from the hard topics and the chequered past of the church. Watch grabs from global experts talking about violence, slavery, human rights, art and more.
To receive regular updates and further information about the project including its release date visit https://fortheloveofgodproject.com
CPX’s forthcoming documentary won’t shy away from the hard topics and the chequered past of the church. Watch grabs from global experts talking about violence, slavery, human rights, art and more.
An introduction video
For the Love of God from CPX on Vimeo.
Some sneak previews
To receive regular updates and further information about the project including its release date visit https://fortheloveofgodproject.com
Friday, September 30, 2016
Book: The American mind meets the mind of Christ
Whether it is an altar to an unknown god or the New Atheists, Christians have always faced the challenge of translating the Gospel message within the surrounding culture.
This is no less true for the tangled web that is 21st century America.
Edited by global scholar Robert Kolb, The American mind meets the mind of Christ are ten essays that engage numerous facets of American culture from politics to science, the movies to new media to find the interconnections between the American mind and the mind of Christ.
Ten essays are:
The American mind meets the mind of Christ....Robert Kolb
The Good Life: Health, Fitness, and Bodily Welfare . . . R. Reed Lessing
Individualism, Indulgence and the Mind of Christ: Making Room for the Neighbor and the Father . . . Leopoldo A. Sánchez M.
American Mystic Spirituality . . . David R. Schmitt
Cinema and the American Mind . . . David I. Lewis
This is no less true for the tangled web that is 21st century America.
Edited by global scholar Robert Kolb, The American mind meets the mind of Christ are ten essays that engage numerous facets of American culture from politics to science, the movies to new media to find the interconnections between the American mind and the mind of Christ.
Ten essays are:
The American mind meets the mind of Christ....Robert Kolb
Health and Wealth
Living in the Land of Milk and Honey . . . Dale A. MeyerThe Good Life: Health, Fitness, and Bodily Welfare . . . R. Reed Lessing
Individualism and Community
Individualism as the Insistence on My Rights . . . Joel BiermannIndividualism, Indulgence and the Mind of Christ: Making Room for the Neighbor and the Father . . . Leopoldo A. Sánchez M.
Religion and Religiosity
Pluralism and Mix-and-Match Religion . . . Paul W. RobinsonAmerican Mystic Spirituality . . . David R. Schmitt
Science and Culture
Science, Technology, and the American Mind . . . Joel P. OkamotoCinema and the American Mind . . . David I. Lewis
Media
Media as a Source of Information and Identity . . . Anthony A. Cook
Study guide is also available at
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Artilce: Which comes first evangelism or apologetics?
Tony Payne in an article appearing on http://gotherefor.com/offer.php?intid=29407 asks Which comes first: apologetics or evangelism?
This might seem a strange question, because it is often not only hard to answer but seemingly unimportant. In a gospel conversation with a friend over coffee, apologetic-style questions and gospel proclamation are often all mixed together. Who can predict or determine which comes first, and why would it matter?
However, the principle of whether apologetics or evangelism comes first does matter, and will affect our practice and activities—especially those we plan in advance, but even those that happen on the run.
I want to suggest that evangelism should be regarded as prior to apologetics, both logically and in the emphasis of our outreach. I have a number of reasons for saying so, but here I want to focus on just one—the nature of the gospel we proclaim.
The gospel is essentially a piece of news. When we ‘evangelize’ we announce that certain momentous events have taken place in history, the meaning and significance of which radically change the state of affairs and require a response from every person.
Evangelism is rather like what Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies did in 1939 when he made the following announcement: “Fellow Australians, it is my melancholy duty to inform you officially, that in consequence of the persistence of Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her, and that, as a result, Australia is also at war”. Certain momentous events had taken place, the meaning of which meant that the situation for everyone in Australia had radically changed.
The gospel is like that. It’s the announcement that a man has died and risen from the dead, and that this means something now for our world—notably, that God has appointed this dead-and-risen Man (his own Son) as the Lord and Judge and Saviour of all, and that entry into his kingdom via repentance and the forgiveness of sins is now available to people from every nation in the world.
This is what we broadcast, and (like Menzies’s broadcast) it doesn’t need much introduction or preamble, nor very much effort to establish a common interest in the importance or relevance of the message. If this momentous news is true, then it quite obviously changes everything for every person in the world. We all now live in a world ruled by the man who rose from the dead.
Mind you, what was said by Menzies may well have generated questions from his listeners: Is Menzies telling us the truth? If Germany is still invading Poland, why is this prompting Great Britain to declare war? Should Australia be part of this war? And so on.
In much the same way, the news about Jesus will also generate questions: Is it possible or plausible that someone should rise from the dead? Who is the God who has crowned him as Lord and Judge and Saviour? Why is repentance and forgiveness necessary? What does this mean for me? And more, no doubt, besides.
We’ll find ourselves answering all sorts of questions about the announcement. We will do all we can to persuade people that the announcement is indeed true and faithful, that as a result it is hugely significant, and that a response is therefore imperative.
Some of these questions we may anticipate as we make the announcement and explain its meaning. But logically and conceptually and ideally in practice, the apologia (or defence) follows the announcement, and is shaped by the announcement.
If our message was not an announcement of news—if it was something else—then this may not be the case. If our message, for example, was a qualitative claim that Christianity as a religion is beneficial or satisfying, and thus worth believing and following, then a great deal more preparatory and ‘apologetic’ work (if that is the right word) would need to be done. We would need to establish what constituted “beneficial and satisfying” (in terms that resonated with our hearers); we would need to deal with any of Christianity’s beliefs that were radically inconsistent with the beliefs of our hearers (for example, regarding science or sexual ethics); we would need to defend the actual record of Christianity from attacks that it had not, in fact, been beneficial or satisfying; and so on.
The qualitative superiority or desirability of Christianity is something that we would need to argue towards—and (in my observation) an increasing amount of Christian outreach activity has this character.
By contrast, the gospel is something we argue from—that we proclaim as momentous news, and then defend and explain.
Here then is the question that this brief reflection raises: What would be different about our personal and corporate evangelistic activity if we prioritised the gospel announcement, and let apologetics follow along behind?
First published in Vine Journal #3 (April 2016).
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Tony Payne
Tony started Matthias Media back in 1988, and is now its CEO. In the intervening years he has raised a family of five (with his wife Alison), completed a theology degree at Moore Theological College, and written or co-written numerous books and ministry resources—including The Trellis and the Vine, Fatherhood, Guidance and the Voice of God, and The Course of Your Life. He is also the Director of the Centre for Christian Living at Moore College.
This might seem a strange question, because it is often not only hard to answer but seemingly unimportant. In a gospel conversation with a friend over coffee, apologetic-style questions and gospel proclamation are often all mixed together. Who can predict or determine which comes first, and why would it matter?
However, the principle of whether apologetics or evangelism comes first does matter, and will affect our practice and activities—especially those we plan in advance, but even those that happen on the run.
I want to suggest that evangelism should be regarded as prior to apologetics, both logically and in the emphasis of our outreach. I have a number of reasons for saying so, but here I want to focus on just one—the nature of the gospel we proclaim.
The gospel is essentially a piece of news. When we ‘evangelize’ we announce that certain momentous events have taken place in history, the meaning and significance of which radically change the state of affairs and require a response from every person.
Evangelism is rather like what Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies did in 1939 when he made the following announcement: “Fellow Australians, it is my melancholy duty to inform you officially, that in consequence of the persistence of Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her, and that, as a result, Australia is also at war”. Certain momentous events had taken place, the meaning of which meant that the situation for everyone in Australia had radically changed.
The gospel is like that. It’s the announcement that a man has died and risen from the dead, and that this means something now for our world—notably, that God has appointed this dead-and-risen Man (his own Son) as the Lord and Judge and Saviour of all, and that entry into his kingdom via repentance and the forgiveness of sins is now available to people from every nation in the world.
This is what we broadcast, and (like Menzies’s broadcast) it doesn’t need much introduction or preamble, nor very much effort to establish a common interest in the importance or relevance of the message. If this momentous news is true, then it quite obviously changes everything for every person in the world. We all now live in a world ruled by the man who rose from the dead.
Mind you, what was said by Menzies may well have generated questions from his listeners: Is Menzies telling us the truth? If Germany is still invading Poland, why is this prompting Great Britain to declare war? Should Australia be part of this war? And so on.
In much the same way, the news about Jesus will also generate questions: Is it possible or plausible that someone should rise from the dead? Who is the God who has crowned him as Lord and Judge and Saviour? Why is repentance and forgiveness necessary? What does this mean for me? And more, no doubt, besides.
We’ll find ourselves answering all sorts of questions about the announcement. We will do all we can to persuade people that the announcement is indeed true and faithful, that as a result it is hugely significant, and that a response is therefore imperative.
Some of these questions we may anticipate as we make the announcement and explain its meaning. But logically and conceptually and ideally in practice, the apologia (or defence) follows the announcement, and is shaped by the announcement.
If our message was not an announcement of news—if it was something else—then this may not be the case. If our message, for example, was a qualitative claim that Christianity as a religion is beneficial or satisfying, and thus worth believing and following, then a great deal more preparatory and ‘apologetic’ work (if that is the right word) would need to be done. We would need to establish what constituted “beneficial and satisfying” (in terms that resonated with our hearers); we would need to deal with any of Christianity’s beliefs that were radically inconsistent with the beliefs of our hearers (for example, regarding science or sexual ethics); we would need to defend the actual record of Christianity from attacks that it had not, in fact, been beneficial or satisfying; and so on.
The qualitative superiority or desirability of Christianity is something that we would need to argue towards—and (in my observation) an increasing amount of Christian outreach activity has this character.
By contrast, the gospel is something we argue from—that we proclaim as momentous news, and then defend and explain.
Here then is the question that this brief reflection raises: What would be different about our personal and corporate evangelistic activity if we prioritised the gospel announcement, and let apologetics follow along behind?
First published in Vine Journal #3 (April 2016).
Enjoyed this page? Tell someone else! Tweet or Share
Want to know when we publish more content? Sign up for our free weekly email update.
Tony Payne
Tony started Matthias Media back in 1988, and is now its CEO. In the intervening years he has raised a family of five (with his wife Alison), completed a theology degree at Moore Theological College, and written or co-written numerous books and ministry resources—including The Trellis and the Vine, Fatherhood, Guidance and the Voice of God, and The Course of Your Life. He is also the Director of the Centre for Christian Living at Moore College.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Book and lecture: The myth of religious violence
The idea that religion has a dangerous tendency to promote violence is part of the conventional wisdom of Western societies, and it underlies many of our institutions and policies, from limits on the public role of religion to efforts to promote liberal democracy in the Middle East.
William T. Cavanaugh challenges this conventional wisdom by examining how the twin categories of religion and the secular are constructed. A growing body of scholarly work explores how the category 'religion' has been constructed in the modern West and in colonial contexts according to specific configurations of political power. Cavanaugh draws on this scholarship to examine how timeless and transcultural categories of 'religion and 'the secular' are used in arguments that religion causes violence. He argues three points:
1) There is no transhistorical and transcultural essence of religion. What counts as religious or secular in any given context is a function of political configurations of power;
2) Such a transhistorical and transcultural concept of religion as non-rational and prone to violence is one of the foundational legitimating myths of Western society;
3) This myth can be and is used to legitimate neo-colonial violence against non-Western others, particularly the Muslim world.
William T. Cavanaugh challenges this conventional wisdom by examining how the twin categories of religion and the secular are constructed. A growing body of scholarly work explores how the category 'religion' has been constructed in the modern West and in colonial contexts according to specific configurations of political power. Cavanaugh draws on this scholarship to examine how timeless and transcultural categories of 'religion and 'the secular' are used in arguments that religion causes violence. He argues three points:
1) There is no transhistorical and transcultural essence of religion. What counts as religious or secular in any given context is a function of political configurations of power;
2) Such a transhistorical and transcultural concept of religion as non-rational and prone to violence is one of the foundational legitimating myths of Western society;
3) This myth can be and is used to legitimate neo-colonial violence against non-Western others, particularly the Muslim world.
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